You poor neglected blog. It’s just been too nice outside, and there’s been too much fun stuff going on to tend to you. But I have some floral gifts for you today, in the form of poppies. Yes, poppies!
Larry and I inspect the poppies – they are about 5′ tall! Photo by Brandon Adamek
Papaver somniferum ‘Hungarian Blue’
I started these Hungarian Blue “bread seed” poppies from seed on March 20th of this year, a Seedsavers purchase. I love buying stuff from Seedsavers because I really believe in their mission, which is all about saving and sharing heirloom seeds to preserve genetic diversity. In fact, they maintain thousands of varieties of different plant types – from amaranth to watermelon – in one of the largest seed banks of its kind in North America. They also store varieties in back-up locations at the USDA Seed Bank in Fort Collins, CO and at Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, which houses the most diverse collection of food crop seeds anywhere on Earth. Seeds are tucked away safely into the permafrost in the mountains of Svalbard, just in case we lose our crops due to some type of catastrophic event.
Back to my poppies. These are Papaver somniferum ‘Hungarian Blue’ – a rare heirloom variety whose blue purple petals quickly emerge, crinkled and shiny. This is the variety whose seeds are most often used to grace the tops of bread loaves and bagels. Mmm.
The Hungarian Blue poppy (is actually more purple)
Buzz
The flowers don’t last long, but luckily the petals fall away to reveal a milky green blue seedpod, which will be full of edible poppy seeds when they dry out. I’d like to save some for replanting, use some for baking onto the tops of bread or muffins, and use some seedpods in arrangements for Thanksgiving.
Aren’t they cool?
so pretty 🙂
They are absolutely beautiful.
Yes, they are so very cool!
Those are gorgeous! I like that they are tall and not nearly so droopy.
Love poppies!!!
Beautiful! Poppies are one flower I do not have in my garden. I NEED some!
the poppies look wonderful, im going to try that variety next year. whats the secret of getting them so tall?
Tim – I mixed in lots of coast of Maine bumper crop to the soil before sowing. Then added Dr Earth organic fertilizer 5-7-3 a few times while growing..and did not over water. I’m going to grow them again next year they made me so deliriously happy!! Good luck.
Hello! Hope the post finds you and in good health. I have been searching for some genuine Hungarian Blue poppy seeds. Seadsavers do not have them and USDA Seed Bank in Fort Collins, CO and at Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway will not deal with the public. I would pay dearly for some genuine heirloom seeds. If possible contact me at nudebie@hotmail.com 🙂
I don’t have any but I would recommend getting in touch with Seedsavers to see if they can locate more for you. I know they are currently sold out but more will come, I’m sure. https://www.seedsavers.org/hungarian-blue-breadseed-poppy-organic-flower